Cowgirls Fall in Opening Round of NCAA Softball Tournament

Originally Published: May 21, 2010 8:53 PM CDT

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TUCSON, Arizona -- Oklahoma State squandered a 4-0 lead as the Cowgirls fell to Hofstra 8-6 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday.

The Cowgirls jumped on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the third inning. Mariah Gearhart reached on a bunt single, one of three hits for the leadoff hitter. After a stolen base, a pair of infield errors by the Hofstra Pride scored Gearhart. With two on and no outs, first baseman Julie Ward cleared the bases with a three-run home run to give OSU a 4-0 lead.

Hofstra cut into the lead in the top of the fourth on a three-run homer by Trisha Breslinski, her second of the season. The Pride over took OSU in the fifth when Cowgirl reliever Anna Whiddon loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit by pitch. Becca Bigler drove in a run on a single, and a wild pitch by Whiddon scored another to give Hofstra a 5-4 lead.

The Pride tallied three runs in the sixth. Kris Root and Rachael Senatore led off with back-to-back singles. Sara Michalowski hit the ball up the middle on the next play. Cowgirl center fielder Kelsey Anchors threw the ball in quickly, and it was cut off by Ward in the pitcher's circle. Root stopped a third, but Senatore also went to third with both base runners on the base. Ward overthrew Gearhart and the ball went into foul territory, scoring both runners. Hofstra led 8-4 after the top of the sixth.

The Cowgirls started a comeback in the bottom of the sixth. Megan Castle led off with a base hit and Chelsea Garcia followed with a double. Taylor Marcum came in to pinch hit for Anchors and hit a drive to deep center field, scoring Castle on a sacrifice fly. Gearhart beat out the throw after hitting a high chopper to second base, scoring Garcia.

The Cowgirls had one last opportunity in the seventh when Ward led off with an infield single. However, Hofstra reliever Erin Wade forced a couple of ground outs and a flyout to centerfield to end the game.

Oklahoma State (43-15) will play Cornell in an elimination game at 6 p.m. Saturday.